Decorating homes and businesses is a long standing tradition during the holiday season. Unfortunately it’s these decorations that increase the chance of fire. Follow a few simple Christmas tree & holiday decoration fire safety tips to ensure Happy Holidays.

CHRISTMAS TREES can remain relatively fire safe if you follow these simple steps:

When selecting your live Christmas tree, choose a fresh one with green needles.

Recut the trunk at least two inch above the old cut as soon as you get it home. This allows it to continue to pull moisture into its foliage.

Keep the trunk in water immediately after it is recut. Moisture is the key to keeping the tree fresh and thereby enhancing its fire resistance. If the tree will be kept outside for a few days, stand it in a bucket of water until you are ready to bring it indoors.

Check the water levels daily... Never let the water level go below the bottom of the trunk. Commercial floral preservatives can also be added to the water to help keep the tree fresh.

Locate any tree at least 3 feet away from sources of heat. Avoid placing any tree, live or artificial, near a heater outlet, wood stove or fireplace. Put it in the coolest location possible.

Never leave a lighted tree unattended.

Remove the tree immediately after the holidays. Even a properly cared for live tree will eventually die. Take it to a recycle center or leave for your refuse collector.

LIGHTS & DECORATIONS

Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.

Keep decorations away from heat sources, windows and doors.

Properly install your holiday lights. Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory.

Be sure to use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.

Make sure all electrical cords have no frayed or cracked wires or broken sockets. Do not attempt to repair a worn light set! Throw it away and purchase a new replacement.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.

Do not leave lights turned on for prolonged periods or unattended.

Keep your exits clear by keeping decorations away from windows and doors.

In addition to being shatterproof and shock resistant, LED lights produce almost no heat, making them safe to touch and greatly reducing the risk of fire.

Enlarge Photo

Two men remain hospitalized after they were shot Sunday night in Fillmore. The shooting occurred in the 800 block of 3rd Street, where both men were found in the street by deputies, who were summoned to the area to investigate a call of shots fired.

The men were transported to Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura. One victim is in critical, but stable condition, while the second victim is in stable condition.

No suspects have been arrested or identified, and the investigation is ongoing. Investigators believe the shooting is gang related and ask anyone with information to call Detective Sergeant Carlos Macias at (805)384-4761.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Prepared by: Sgt. Eric Buschow
Approved by: Capt. Garo Kuredjian

Fillmore Unified School District

Annual Organizational Meeting
The Board completed the Annual Organizational Meeting at the December 19, 2017 meeting.

First Interim Report through October 31, 2017, Including the Amendments to the 2017-2018 Budget
The Board received a report on the First Interim Report. Information was presented by Andrea McNeill, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services. The Board of Trustees approved the First Interim Report.

Single Plans for Student Achievement
The Board received a report on the Single Plans for Student Achievement. Information was presented by Assistant Superintendent, Micheline Miglis.

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations and leaves.

Bob Crum

In a few days, jolly St. Nick will be flying all around Fillmore skies with a sleigh chock full of goodies. You know, those reindeer haul around Santa's sleigh so fast I'm thinking that they're equipped with JATO... Jet Assisted Take Off. If Rudolf goes slow enough, I'll attempt to snag a photo with my super-telephoto lens.

Speaking of challenges, there are two assignments every year that are monsters to photograph. One is the Junior Livestock Auction at the County Fair. Trying to photograph a kid leading a pig strutting around the auction ring is extremely challenging. Furthermore, phonetographers have proliferated to the degree they are a hazard to a working photojournalist. In spite of that nemesis, capturing the so-called money shot is just reward.

The other monstrous assignment is the annual Fillmore Fire Department toy giveaway that was held last Saturday at the fire station. Make no mistake, it's an awesome event and equally satisfying. Kudos to all who execute this awesome event. Photo ops aplenty... actually too many occurring simultaneously. If I sneeze I might miss a money shot. I get paid only for money shots, you know, so I don't sneeze on assignments.

Anyway, the dilemma arises because once Santa arrives, and walks up the street meeting and greeting the throng of kids and kid-like adults, and settles down in his chair, pandemonium begins. The throng of people out on the street start to converge in the confines of the fire station. Oh what fun!

Imagine a crowd mingling around the toy tables. How do I get a shot in edgewise when I can't move? The perils of photojournalism. With action everywhere, pre-planning is useless. Besides the crowd, the lighting is atrocious. A big open roll-up door dumping in tons of bright sunlight. Further in, fluorescent lighting that is woefully inadequate. And further along another big roll-up exit door with more bright light. It's a nightmare to shoot.

With the camera in manual mode, I constantly had to adjust aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure all the while attempting to compose a photo with a youngster in motion and getting bumped (black & blue bruises are proof) by others also in motion. Somehow I managed a few photos that I hope you enjoy. BTW, anyone interested in this assignment next year???

Cameras UP! Ready for Christmas morning? Be sure the camera battery (or your cellphone) is fully charged. When framing the image, always think “subject”. If it's Johnny or Susie opening a gift... Johnny or Susie should be filling the frame of your composition. But also be quick. Stay ready for a quick photo of the family's giggles as Johnny or Susie display uncontrolled excitement. The time to practice zooming in and out is NOW... not Christmas morning. Another tip I learned long ago: Difficult as it may be, disassociate yourself from the unfolding drama and stay in the photographic moment. There are no do-overs. Miss a great photo op and it's gone forever. Stay in the mental photographic mode. It's not easy because you too will want to participate in the happenings. But capture the photo of a lifetime and you'll relive the memory for a lifetime. Just sayin'.

BTW, forget cookies. I know that Santa loves Tillamook caramel butter pecan ice cream.

Hoping that you and yours have a most enjoyable holiday season with family and friends. God Bless you and here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Ho... ho... ho.

And happy photoing!

Send comments, questions or suggestions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

County of Ventura, California

The County of Ventura will open an information center in Santa Paula tomorrow to assist the residents of the Santa Paula/Santa Clara River Valley and the surrounding area who have been affected by the Thomas fire.

The center will be in a trailer parked in Steckel Park on Highway 150 north of Santa Paula.

The center will open Wednesday, December 20th, and operate through Friday, December 22nd. It will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The center will provide:

• Debris removal and permitting information from the Resource Management Agency.
• Applications for public assistance and housing/rental assistance from the Human Services Agency.
• Health education, resources and counseling from Public Health and Behavioral Health.

If demand warrants, the center may re-open after the holidays.